Chronic diseases are long-term diseases that develop slowly over time, often progressing in severity, and can often be controlled, but rarely cured. These diseases include conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, diabetes, arthritis, back problems, asthma, and chronic depression.
According to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in Ontario. Almost 80% of Ontarians over the age of 45 have a chronic condition. Of those, approximately 70% suffer from two or more chronic conditions (CCHS, 2003). Left untreated or managed poorly, chronic conditions can get worse and lead to additional chronic diseases.
FHTs follow Ontario’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CDPM) Framework when developing their programs and services. The CDPM Framework is made up of the following components:
- Health Care Organizations that make systematic efforts to improve prevention and management of chronic disease;
- Delivery System Design that is focused on prevention and that improves access, continuity of care and flow through the system;
- Provider Decision Supports that integrate evidence-based guidelines into daily practice;
- Information Systems that enhance information for providers so they can provide quality care, that support individuals in managing their diseases, and that integrate services across the system;
- Personal Skills and Self-Management Supports that empower individuals to build skills for healthy living and coping with disease;
- Healthy Public Policies that improve individual and population health and address inequities;
- Supportive Environments that remove barriers to healthy living and promote safe, enjoyable living and working conditions;
- Community Action that encourages communities to increase control over issues affecting the health of their residents.
To learn more about Ontario’s CDPM Framework click here.
Other Associations working hard at providing support to individuals living with chronic diseases include:
- The Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA) is a collective voice on effective Chronic Disease Prevention policy and programming.
- OPHA is a not-for-profit organization that provides a strong, unified independent voice for all citizens — Public Health professionals and volunteers — committed to improving the health of all Ontarians.
